Extensive R&D in Crude Oil Flow Improvers to Make Transportation More Cost Effective

Fresh crude oils are relatively mobile as they are stored in high temperature and pressure. However, upon their transportation to longer distances, ambient conditions of the pipeline can cause wax crystal formation on the walls, which can adversely affect the mobility of the oil. Crude oil flow improvers can be defined as catalysts that lower the drag coefficient, reduce viscosity, and reduce viscosity.

High Demand for Crude Oil Flow Improvers across Extraction Activities

Crude oil flow improvers find application in processes such as extraction, transportation, and refinery. Among these, demand for the product in the extraction process is likely to remain strong through 2025. Flow improvers have the ability to maximize hydrocarbon extraction in a cost-effective way. Spiraling production of hydrocarbons worldwide and increasing hydraulic fracturing operations from eccentric sources are supplementing the growth of the segment. In addition, expanding extraction capacities in OPEC countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia will trigger the uptake of the crude oil flow improvers. Several stages of petroleum production require the addition of massive quantities of flow improvers.

Phenomena of turbulence and corrosion in pipelines can lead to wastage of crude oil during transportation. Hence, demand for crude oil flow improvers in the transportation process is anticipated to witness a sharp rise in coming years. Constant research and development of techniques for increasing the mobility of crude oil pipeline transportation are supplementing the growth of the segment. For instance, in a paper “Experimental improvement of rheological parameters of crude oil in flow” published on sciencesconf.org, addition of polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate to crude oil can enhance the rheological properties of the oil and also augment the mobility.

Market Insights

As per the findings of Grand View Research, Inc.; the global crude oil flow improvers market is projected to rise to a valuation of USD 2.03 billion by 2025. Soaring production of crude oils to meet the ever-rising demand is one of the key growth stimulants in the market. Rising implementation of unconventional techniquesfor petroleum extraction such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing is poised to provide a significant push to the market.

Asia Pacific is estimated to be the most promising region during the forecast period (2017–2025). Rising exploration activities in the region are escalating the demand for crude oil flow improvers. Some of the prominent companies operating in the market are Schlumberger, Halliburton, BASF, The Lubrizol Company, and Nalco.

Read more at:
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/crude-oil-flow-improvers-cofi-market